Illinois Economic Policy Institute

Please join us for our Annual Spring Fundraiser on Monday, April 13 from 6:00–8:00pm at Premier Catering. We hope you can join us for a great evening in support of our work. Sponsorships and tickets are available at www.illinoisepi.org/events
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Our new op-ed explains how inadequate retirement benefits for public service workers diminishes quality of life in our communities.

www.dailyherald.com/20260221/bus...

Illinois Looks to Expand Manufacturing Training at Community Colleges As the U.S. sheds manufacturing jobs, Illinois is accepting applications for $24 million in grant funding to establish training facilities at community colleges aimed at bolstering the state’s manufac...

ILEPI CITED: In 2025, the U.S. lost 63,000 manufacturing jobs. IL lost 7,100 jobs during the same period—about 2.5x the national rate. ILEPI research points to rising costs from tariffs and cuts to federal infrastructure funding as contributing factors.
news.wttw.com/2026/02/04/i...

Today and every day, we cherish the memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

West Side center's manufacturing training boosts economic mobility among participants The Jane Addams Resource Corp.’s workforce training program have helped place most of its trainees into well-paid union jobs.

Careers in unionized skilled trades offer upward economic mobility. chicago.suntimes.com/work/2026/01...

Payrolls rose by 64,000 in November after falling by 105,000 in October, delayed jobs numbers show Nonfarm payrolls were expected to increase by 45,000 in November as the unemployment rate rose to 4.5%.

The job market continues to slow, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.6%—its highest level since September 2021.
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/12/...

Illinois Insights – September 2025 The September 2025 Edition of ILEPI’s newsletter, Illinois Insights, has been released. This Edition discusses recent ILEPI reports: The 11th annual State of the Unions study finds that states prot…

Don’t miss the newest edition of our newsletter! illinoisupdate.com/2025/09/22/i...

NEW COLUMN: With retirements shrinking the construction workforce, Illinois’ pre-apprenticeship programs are opening doors, creating lifelong careers that pay $49 an hour, and ensuring businesses have access to skilled labor. www.dailyherald.com/20250906/bus...

US union membership declining in ‘right-to-work’ states, report reveals Growing divide across US as membership increasing – and wages higher – in states that protect workers’ rights

A new ILEPI and Project for Middle Class Renewal Labor Education Program - University of Illinois study shows a sharp divide: declining union membership in “right-to-work” states vs. growth and higher wages in pro-union states. Read more on The Guardian!

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS INCREASING UNION MEMBERSHIP AND FASTER WAGE GROWTH IN STATES THAT PROTECT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS Workers’ Rights Amendment Has Sparked Surge of New Union Members in Illinois; Michigan Added Members following Repeal of Anti-Union Law FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 Media contact:…

STATE OF THE UNIONS: New study finds that states strengthening collective bargaining rights are adding union members and boosting wages, while “right-to-work” states are losing ground.
illinoisupdate.com/2025/09/08/n...

Mike Raikes: Project labor agreements add value, diversity and opportunities for apprentices "A hearty Labor Day thank you to Bloomington, Normal and McLean County for passing ordinances requiring project labor agreements on governmentally funded projects."

New ILEPI research on pre-apprenticeship programs was highlighted in a new opinion piece. Read it now! pantagraph.com/opinion/colu...

Study: Pre-Apprenticeship Programs Increasing Participation of Women, Black Workers in IL Construction Workforce These tuition-free programs offer industry-focused training, hands-on learning, and classroom instruction.

Pre-apprenticeship programs are tuition-free and provide industry-focused training through hands-on learning and classroom instruction. They’re also helping open doors for women and Black workers, increasing diversity across Illinois’ construction workforce. www.contractormag.com/training/art...

Illinois pre-apprenticeship programs boost women and minorities in construction, study says It's significant as the state’s construction industry struggles to fill jobs and gears up for more expansion under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which sets a goal to fuel Illinois entirely by cl...

Programs to prepare workers for skilled trades apprenticeships have significantly boosted the number of women and people of color in Illinois’ construction workforce and also yield a big return on investment.
chicago.suntimes.com/work/2025/08...

STUDY Shows that Pre-Apprenticeship Programs are Dramatically Increasing Participation of Women and Black Workers in Illinois’ Construction Workforce FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 20, 2025 Media contact: Todd Stenhouse, 916-397-1131, toddstenhouse@gmail.com                    La Grange, IL: Inves…

NEW STUDY finds pre-apprenticeship programs are transforming Illinois' construction workforce. Women and people of color are now the two fastest-growing groups in the state's construction industry.
illinoisupdate.com/2025/08/20/s...

Illinois Insights – July 2025 The July 2025 Edition of ILEPI’s newsletter, Illinois Insights, has been released. This Edition discusses recent ILEPI reports: A new report finds Illinois is currently facing a housing shortage of…

Check out our Summer 2025 Illinois Insights newsletter!
📉 IL needs 227K new homes to meet demand
💰 Modernizing our outdated tax system could raise $2B/year for schools & transit
Read more: illinoisupdate.com/2025/07/14/i... #Illinois #Housing #TaxReform

A new study finds Illinois needs to build 45,000 homes for five years to address its housing shortage Researchers found that rising incomes, employment growth and higher rates of homeownership have increased demand for housing.

"Improving affordability would require a substantial increase in housing supply to boost inventory, the number of homes for sale and the number of homes being built. Illinois could take a number of steps, and these could be statewide."
www.wbez.org/housing/2025...

Illinois is short 142,000 homes. Here’s how to fix that. Illinois faces a critical housing shortage that has increased home prices and rents, leaving many families unable to find or afford housing. There were many causes of the shortage. Strong employment g...

Illinois faces a critical housing shortage that has increased home prices and rents, leaving many families unable to find or afford housing. There were many causes of the shortage. Read ILEPI Economist Frank Manzo IV's Op-Ed here:
www.dailyherald.com/20250627/bus...

Illinois must build 227,000 units in 5 years to keep up with housing demand, report finds Illinois must build 227,000 more housing units in the next five years if it is going to keep pace with demand, according to an economic report released Tuesday.

Chicago Tribune coverage of our latest report:
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/06/24/i...

Illinois needs 227,000 more homes by 2030 to keep up with demand, new report says A new study found that Illinois needs to build 227,000 new homes by 2030 to keep up with rising demand.

ILEPI economist Frank Manzo IV hit Fox 32 Chicago this morning to talk about our new report on the Illinois housing shortage. Check out the segment here:
www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinoi...

STUDY: Current Illinois Housing Shortage Reaches 142,000 Units State must add 227,000 homes over next five years to keep pace with rising demand FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 24, 2024 Media contact: Todd Stenhouse, 916-397-1131, toddstenhouse@gmail.com  &nb…

Important new research from ILEPI and PMCR unpacks and explains the housing market situation in Illinois. You don’t want to miss this report. Check it out.
illinoisupdate.com/2025/06/24/s...

Wisconsin HS grads join trade apprenticeships High school graduates are entering the next chapter of their lives, and many are turning to apprenticeships to gain the skills needed for in-demand jobs.

Wisconsinites are enrolling in trade programs to try to build rewarding, hands-on careers. MEPI research found 77% of Wisconsin’s construction apprentices are enrolled in joint labor-management programs. www.wmtv15news.com/2025/06/04/w...

Wisconsin construction apprenticeships are up; report says they could grow faster • Wisconsin Examiner The number of apprentices grew faster in states with laws guaranteeing prevailing wages on publicly funded construction projects.

Wisconsin saw growth in construction apprenticeships, but a new MEPI report says restoring prevailing wage and repealing “right-to-work” could have driven even stronger results for workers.
wisconsinexaminer.com/2025/05/12/w...

Registered Apprenticeships Deliver Skilled Workers and Living Wage Careers Policymakers from both parties have acknowledged the promise of registered apprenticeships as viable career training alternatives.

Registered apprenticeships are tuition-free programs that let students earn while they learn, gaining nationally recognized credentials in high-demand fields. In the past decade, active apprenticeships in the U.S. have more than doubled.
www.contractormag.com/training/art...

STUDY: Construction Apprenticeships Are Growing in Wisconsin, but Lag Neighboring States with Prevailing Wage Laws Nonunion Programs Have Failed to Meet Demands for Skilled Labor La Grange, IL: Alongside historic investments in infrastructure, energy systems, and domestic manufacturing, registered apprenticeshi…

A new study finds that despite a nearly 50% increase in construction apprenticeships in Wisconsin, the state trails neighboring states with prevailing wage laws that encourage stronger investment in workforce training.
midwestepi.org/2025/05/09/s...

Happy National Apprenticeship Day!

Project Labor Agreements deliver on policymakers’ promises to taxpayers and workers With tariffs, market volatility, and mass government layoffs dominating headlines lately, much of our national economic discourse has centered around whether public policies and investments are maximi...

Amid economic uncertainty, Illinois is leading by example—using Project Labor Agreements to ensure public investments in infrastructure deliver real value, good jobs, and on-time results. Read our latest Daily Herald op-ed.
www.dailyherald.com/20250419/bus...

PLA use didn’t increase project costs, Illinois study finds Project labor agreements increased bidding competition on awards within the state, according to research from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute.

Project labor agreements in Illinois did not have a statistically significant effect on projects’ construction costs, as the award amounts for winning bids were not higher on PLA projects compared to those without PLAs, after accounting for other factors.

www.constructiondive.com/news/plas-il...

Illinois’ current sales tax system does not reflect a modern economy Tax policy is a deeply misunderstood topic. In general, most people believe that “conservative” states levy fewer taxes than states with more “left-leaning” leadership. This is not always the ...

While TX & FL have no income tax, they tax 200%-300% more services than IL. This means working families in IL bear a heavier tax burden through property & income taxes. Expanding IL’s sales tax to modernize our system could generate $2B annually. Read ILEPI's latest op-ed to learn more!

Don't miss our annual fundraiser on April 21! Sponsorships and tickets are still available: www.illinoisepi.org/events

New report finds project labor agreements lower costs, boost competition in Illinois State-commissioned study published as Biden-era executive order on PLAs faces legal challenge

A new report confirms Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) lower costs and increase competition in Illinois construction projects. PLAs ensure fair wages, high-quality craftsmanship, and safer job sites. www.nprillinois.org/illinois/202...